Obama Pressures GOP On More Ambitious Budget Plan

WASHINGTON — President Obama challenged Republicans to commit to a more ambitious, long-term plan on spending cuts, revenue increases and changes to entitlement programs, during a news conference Monday morning.

The New York Times reports:

Mr. Obama said he will not consider a short-term, stop-gap solution to raise the debt ceiling. “This is the United States of America. We don’t manage our affairs in three month increments.”

Obama’s news conference happened just hours before his scheduled meeting with Congressional leaders on a third gathering to reach a deal to reach the nation’s debt ceiling.

The president challenged Republicans to eagerly work alongside Democrats to reach a deal stating, “let’s go.”

Mr. Obama said he will not consider a short-term, stop-and-go solutions to raise the debt ceiling. “This is the United States of America. We don’t manage our affairs in three month increments.”

“It’s not going to get easier. It’s going to get harder,” Mr. Obama said

“So we might as well do it now. Pull off the Band-Aid. Eat our peas. Now is the time to do it.”